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Meal Plan Monday

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It’s Monday and also our first day of homeschool!  We started the morning off at breakfast and went to the Jefferson House.  We had heard that they have great food and we heard right!  First day of school breakfast is our homeschool tradition.

Curious as to what we are using for homeschool this year?  Head over here and find out.

Here’s what is on the meal plan for our family this week:

Monday: Zucchini Pizza Casserole, salad

Tuesday: grilled chicken, green beans, brown rice

Wednesday: Pizza

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Poppyseed Chicken Casserole, salad

Saturday: Burgers, veggies

Sunday: Leftovers

What are you making this week?

Printable Scripture Writing Plan for Teens Self-Control & Purity

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My sister-in-law and I were part of a great Bible study recently with a few friends.  One of the ladies in the study mentioned that she enjoys writing scripture to help her remember to read and to help keep her mind on track and not wandering.  I have the exact same problem.  I’ll try to read and then my mind will start to wander toward the day’s to-do list or other random things.

Along this same time as our study, a friend of mine shared a website called Sweet Blessings that offers scripture writing printables for adults.  We absolutely love the ones that she has created.  I definitely recommend checking out her site as has a ton of great plans for adults to use.

Being a homeschooling mom, I thought about how this would be a great thing to incorporate into our school year for the older kids.  We could easily knock out Bible reading and handwriting simultaneously.

Together with my sister-in-law, we created a printable Scripture Writing Plan August.  Self-Control and Purity is the theme for this month.  This Bible writing plan is geared toward tweens and teens, however I think anyone would enjoy it.  It should only take about 5-10 minutes to be written nicely, but most likely less.

A Prayer Journal can be easily be used in addition to this Scripture Writing Plan.

Free Scripture Writing Printable: Self Control & Purity

To download and print, simply click on the image below.  Enjoy!

Scripture Writing Plan for Teens - Self Control & Purity

Using this printable with your kids?  Leave a comment and tell us how it went.  Also leave a comment and tell us which printables you would like to see in the future.  Our plans are to continue making them for a few months and see how it goes.  Press the share button to help others see it as well.

Meal Plan Monday

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Last week, we took a family week and spent it up in the North Georgia mountains.  I’m totally a mountain girl and will pick mountains over beach any day!  We swam, rode horses, made s’mores, played games, and had some relaxing time.

This is my last full week off from homeschooling before we start back up next week!  I think I’m just about ready, just need to finish getting the school room ready and picking up a couple deals on school supplies.  As summer comes to a close, I realize that we haven’t done nearly as much as I was hoping to this summer, and that’s okay.  We typically make a list and try to conquer everything, but time just didn’t allow it.

Here’s what we are making this week:

Monday: Black beans and rice

Tuesday: Eggs, sausage, veggies

Wednesday: Pork Chops, zucchini, brown rice

Thursday: Cajun Cream Chicken, salad

Friday: Taco Pie

Saturday: Salsa Chicken, brown rice, steamed broccoli

Sunday: Leftovers

What are you making?

Meal Plan Monday!

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I cannot believe summer is starting to dwindle!  I am not ready for school to start back!  We’ve been having so much fun and so many adventures with the kids this summer.  I’m glad we took a break from our homeschool to just live, love, and enjoy.

I’ve ordered and somewhat planned out our upcoming homeschool year, but still need to get the school room in order.  For this week, I think I’m taking a break from blogging.  Unless something fantastic comes up, I’m going to spend the time with the family and enjoy the little bit left of summer.

On to meal plans – again, it’s hot so will be cooking mostly outdoors!

Monday: Burgers, zucchini, salad

Tuesday: BBQ, green beans

Wednesday: Black bean burritos

Thursday: Brats, salad, mac and cheese

Friday: Dinner with friends

Saturday: leftovers

Sunday: Taco pie, salad

Helping Kids Prevent Cavities with ACT Kids Toothpaste

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This post and party were sponsored by ACT Kids Toothpaste, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

With 5 kids running around here, there are a lot of teeth to try and keep clean!  As a mom, I feel like I’m constantly chasing after one of them reminding to brush their teeth twice a day.  I know I’m not alone in that battle!  For us, the biggie is brushing long enough.  My children want to take about 10 seconds away from play to brush their teeth and that’s simply not long enough.

According to a recent survey, 35% of moms saying getting their kid(s) to brush their teeth is one of their most frustrating daily battles!* I completely relate to those results!

New ACT Kids Toothpaste is now available at a variety of retail locations, including Walmart, Walgreens, and Target locations.  ACT Kids Toothpaste is available for kids ages two years on up in fun bubble gum and fruit punch flavors.

We were recently chosen to host an ACT MommyParty as a way to share information regarding tooth care with a few of our dear friends.

ACT was very gracious and sent us a fun goodie bag for each child that included a toothbrush, ACT Kids Toothpaste, a tooth eraser, and a tooth brushing timer.  All the moms were thrilled with the toothbrush timer since it helps create a visual for the kids to know when they have brushed long enough.

   

During the party, we were able to have lunch with our friends.  Afterward, all of the age-appropriate children could try out their new toothbrush and ACT Kids Toothpaste and also the ACT Kids Anticavity Rinse.  The ACT Kids Anticavity Rinse is indicated for kids ages 6 and older.

We talked about keeping our teeth healthy and played fun games to remember which food items are good for teeth and which ones are more likely to cause cavities.  These kids were smart!  They know what foods are good and which ones could cause issues!  ACT had even sent a fun matching memory game for the kids.

For More Information:

For more information, please visit ACToralcare.com and check out ACTKidsSavings.com to download a product coupon.

*This survey was sponsored by Sanofi Consumer Healthcare and conducted online using Toluna’s QuickSurveys methodology between February 13, 2017 and February 14, 2017 among 1,150 moms with children between the ages of two and twelve in the USA.  Respondents for Toluna QuickSurveys are selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Toluna Surveys.

Toluna’s SmartSelectTM methodology was used to promote sample representativeness. SmartSelect relies on statistical matching rather than probability sampling to select survey respondents, based on demographic, attitudinal and behavioral characteristics that match those of the target population. Figures for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, education and income are also weighted to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in Toluna surveys, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with this Thirty-One Gifts Print!

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It’s National Ice Cream Day!  What better way to celebrate than with ice cream!  The kids and I have been celebrating this afternoon using our  new Thirty-One Gifts bowls, which come in four fun striped colors.

Thirty-One Gifts has a new fun print that you will find super sweet!  Their new Sweet Sprinkles print is sure to make your day!  Featuring popsicles and ice cream cones in bright colors, this one will be a favorite!  I love how fun it all looks together with the colors and options.

The new print is currently available in the Large Utility Tote, Oh-Snap Bin, Double Duty Caddy, and of course the matching Get the Scoop Bowl Set.

Some new matching personalization options are now available as well.

 

Giveaway:

Woo hoo!  Our friends at Thirty-One Gifts have generously offered to give one lucky reader a set of the Sweet Sprinkles items!  The winner will receive the following:

  • Large Utility Tote
  • Oh-Snap Bin
  • Double Duty Caddy
  • Get the Scoop Bowl Set

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Accountable2You: Free First Month!

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Accountability across all your devices {Accountable2You}

We’ve been using the Accountable2You program with our family for almost a year now.  It’s a great way to monitor what my kids are reading, searching, and holding them accountable.  You can read my review on this program here.

Accountable2You is is an accountability software that you can use on multiple devices with a membership.  Basically it tracks the activity and will alert you when something fishy is triggered, whether in an internet search or even in a text message.  The program can be set up to have someone be the accountability partner and receive an instant text or email when there is questionable activity.  This program cannot be disabled unless you know the password and will instantly trigger an alert as well if it’s attempted.

It’s important to note that this is just an accountability program and NOT a web filter.  The website recommends other programs for filtering.

More than just accountability on devices, it can also be set up to alert if someone is on a device after a certain time.  This is perfect for kids that may try and sneak their device after it’s supposed to be put up for the night.

Accountable2You Discount Code

Intersted in checking it out?  Head on over to create an account  and receive your first month for FREE!

Meal Plan Monday!

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What a lovely weekend it has been!  Lots of fun and some down time.  I think often we get too busy in the summer that we forget to have downtime.  This week, we have a lot going on so keeping it fairly simple.

Monday: Sandwiches at the park

Tuesday: Chickfila Cow Day

Wednesday: Pizza for my middle daughter’s 8th birthday!

Thursday: Cajun Cream Chicken, Salad

Friday: Roast in the pressure cooker, carrots, salad

Saturday: Chicken Enchiladas

Sunday: Leftovers!

Our Homeschool Plans 2017-2018

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Wow.  I totally feel like I was just making last year’s homeschool plans.  This year has flown by incredibly fast.  It’s time to start planning for the upcoming homeschool year, where I will be homeschooling a 9th grader, 5th grader, 2nd grader, 1st grader, and of course, the ever-busy preschooler.

We are mixing things up a bit and my big 2 kids are going to do the majority of their social studies, science, and language arts with a tutor one day a week and I’ll be reinforcing their learning throughout the week.  That’s definitely different for us and I am hoping it goes well.  Sometimes you get to a point where you need to outsource a few things, and that’s okay!

If you care to look back, you can see what we used in the 2015-2016 year here or in the 2016-2017 school year here.  Some of it is the same and some has changed.

Also, be sure to read my article- Homeschooling a Preschooler – See What Works for Us!.

Here’s what we are doing this year:

Math:

Math, we are once again using Horizons Math, but only for my middle 3 children. We use the math books plus we supplement with the extra worksheets for more practice. For my oldest, we will continue with Math-U-See.  We are also continuing with XtraMath.org.  I can’t say enough great things about this website!  It’s a completely free way to make sure your kids understand all of their math facts.  As a mom, I can login and see how they are doing as well and what needs improvement.

Language Arts:

We will be using  Wordly Wise 3000 for my 5th grader to cover vocabulary and reading comprehension.  We will be continuing Easy Grammar with the older 3 children.  It only takes a couple minutes a day.

My 5th grader will continue with  A Reason For Handwriting, however the 1st and 2nd grader will be working on Horizons Penmanship since I think they need a little more writing practice before moving on to cursive.

All 4 of my school age children will also be working through Q&A For Kids: A 3 Year Journal.  I’m pretty excited about this and that it will only take a few moments to work on.

We are continuing Building Spelling Skills for the middle 3 to work on spelling.

My 1st and 2nd graders will also continue working on Explode the Code.  This is a very simple program, but can help with the fundamentals for the little kids.  Takes just a couple minutes each day and they are fun!

Little 2 girls are going to continue with ReadingEggs since it’s a fun program and helps greatly with reading and phonics.  This is one of those things that is worth outsourcing to me, even though it’s an online program, so it frees me up to help someone else with something.

Bible:

This past year we greatly slacked on our Bible lessons.  For Bible this year we are continuing to use Catechism for Kids, which I just love and the kids enjoy, too.  I also plan to introduce more scripture writing for handwriting practice.  I’ve been writing scripture to help get myself more in the Word and I think that the kids would enjoy this, too, especially with fancy journals and colored pens.

All the kids will also continue with VeritasBible.com.

Social Studies:

History we will continue to pull from Allinonehomeschool.com for the little girls and of course the vast variety of books at the library.

Science:

My littles will be continuing through Apologia’s Zoology.  We really enjoyed their Astronomy set last year and are eager to learn more with their Zoology program.

 

I think that’s it!  Seems like a nice rounded program this year, however I’m not super eager to start.  I’m enjoying having a break right now from teaching, but planning is still in order!  What are your homeschool plans for the year?

Meal Plan Monday!

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It’s Monday again!  This week, we celebrate the Fourth of July!  If you’re looking for local Athens Fourth of July activities, head on over to read this post.  We always go to the Colbert parade and then we plan on having some friends over for a picnic and some sparkler fun.  Luckily my husband has the fourth off this year.

My goals for this week include finishing prepping for our 2017-2018 school year!  It sure is hard to plan for 4 kids on 4 different levels!  Whew!

Here’s our meal plan this week:

Monday: Dinner out

Tuesday: Burgers and brats – cookout with friends

Wednesday: Poppyseed chicken, salad, green beans

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: BBQ, salad

Saturday: Grilled chicken, veggies

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner

What are you making this week?

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